GCPEx Ground Radar Data for Snowfall Retrieval Validation

NEXRAD weather radar data from the KGYX site, collected during the GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx) from January 9 to March 12, 2012. This dataset provides Level 2 and Level 3 binary files to validate and improve satellite-based snowfall detection algorithms for NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission. The experiment specifically targeted the microphysical properties of snow to address known shortcomings in remote sensing estimates.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite-based snowfall estimates from the GPM mission by comparing with ground-based NEXRAD observations.
• Analyzing radar reflectivity, mean radial velocity, and spectrum width to study the microphysical structure of winter storms.
• Improving numerical weather prediction models by providing coordinated ground truth data for snow event simulations.
• Assessing the detection capability of multi-frequency active and passive microwave sensors for solid precipitation.

Strengths

• Data was collected during a dedicated, focused field campaign (GCPEx) with a clear goal to characterize snowfall detection.
• Provides measurements from the established NEXRAD network, which consists of 160 WSR-88D radar sites.
• Includes both Level 2 (base data) and Level 3 (derived products) radar data formats for analysis.

Limitations

• Key metadata such as row count, file size, and specific column names are not provided on any platform.
• There is a conflict in the 'last updated' date: Data.gov lists 2026-03-13 (a future date), while NASA Earthdata lists 2012-03-12.
• The license is ambiguously listed as 'other-license-specified' on Data.gov, with no details provided.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Collected by the KGYX Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) site during the GCPEx field campaign.

Time Range

2012-01-09 to 2012-03-12

Freshness

2026-03 13 02:23:37.133957 (Data.gov, but this appears to be an anomalous future date)

Geography

United States (specific to the KGYX radar site location)